The 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers ended on Friday after several days of deliberations on security, political stability and economic integration across the region.
The meeting, from December 10 to 12 in Abuja, was chaired by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy Kabba. They examined key challenges confronting West Africa.
The ministers discussed the spread of violent extremism in the Sahel, the circulation of small arms, transnational organised crime, maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea and the continued occurrence of unconstitutional changes of government.
In his closing remarks, Kabba said that the deliberations also examined political developments in several member states and their implications for democratic governance, adding that Sierra Leone supported ECOWAS’s position that constitutional order, democracy and the rule of law should remain central to the bloc’s agenda.
“During our discussions, we confronted with precision the key issues shaping our region’s trajectory.
“Among other issues, we examined the ongoing security threats that jeopardise stability in parts of our region, including violent extremism in the Sahel, the spread of small arms, transnational organised crime, maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, unconstitutional regime changes, economic integration and climate change.
“These threats, though challenging, are not impossible to overcome. Our discussions confirmed that the strength of ECOWAS lies in our unity, solidarity and ability to deploy both diplomatic and operational measures to safeguard and advance our shared peace and security framework.
“We also reflected deeply on the political situations in some member states and their impacts on democratic governance in the region. Sierra Leone remains fully committed to ECOWAS’s goal of a region where democracy, constitutional order and the rule of law are non-negotiable principles,” he said.
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Economic Integration
Economic integration featured prominently, with ministers stressing the need to accelerate regional initiatives such as the ECOWAS single currency, free movement of persons and the Customs Union.
Kabba noted that global economic uncertainty had made it more urgent for West African states to boost intra-regional trade and reduce structural vulnerabilities.
Humanitarian and climate-related challenges were also discussed. Ministers examined issues of food insecurity, displacement, health emergencies and climate shocks, agreeing that these required coordinated regional responses, including stronger early-warning systems and improved preparedness for vulnerable communities.
“Our discussions on economic integration were equally inspiring. We emphasised the need to accelerate the implementation of key regional initiatives, including the ECOWAS single currency, free movement protocols and the Customs Union.
“In a global environment characterised by economic uncertainties, our collective resilience relies on reducing structural vulnerabilities, increasing intra-regional trade and promoting a competitive and integrated West African market.
“Our discussions on humanitarian issues and climate-related vulnerabilities also revealed an important truth: the challenges in our region are interconnected. Whether addressing food insecurity, displacement, epidemics or natural disasters, we must adopt a coordinated and proactive approach,” Kabba said.
At the end of the session, Kabba said that the council had developed recommendations to be submitted to the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
“It is now our duty to maintain the momentum we have built here by implementing agreed decisions, coordinating among our national and regional institutions and keeping communication open as we face new challenges,” he added.
APA/Oyenike Oyeniyi